BOXING

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 53, 4 March 1927, Page 17

BOXING

By "Aeneas."

iHE BIG EVENT

GRIME AND PURDY

NE.W ZEALAXDER'S CHANCES

Can Charlie Purdy stay the distance with Billy Grime? .Can he outpoint the Australian? These are but two of the questions that are being discussed by the fancy in Wellington at present. No match has ever aroused so much interest locally. It is a great pity that there is not a larger building than the Town Hall to house all that will want to see the contest on Thursoay night next. There will be many disappointments. It is still argued that the Dout should bo held outdoors, but the association is reluctant to risk the weatjier. Thoae who have seen Grime in Sydney tell me that he has improved out of sight in the last six months. Before* he was a clever boxer, but was more of a "hit and run" man than a boxer-fighter. However, prior to his bout with liddie Butcher, he seems to have developed aggressiveness, and is now always ready to mix it. In spite of the i'act that he weighed 9st 21b and that Butcher weighed lOst 51b, Grime knocked him out. He also accounted for Joe Hall, a coloured boxer of class, in the seventh round. This was his latest victory, and was striking evidence that he is an exceptionally hard hitter. Grime was Bst 13Jlb and Hall 9st 91b. Thus Purdy's task is going to be a hard one.

However, it is difficult to imagine that Grime is speedier or more elusive than Purdy, who is also a quick thinker. The New Zealander has also been,fight-* ing much stronger recently, and his victory over K'Carthy, who ran Grime very close, is a good omen. M'Carthy was at his top when he faced Purdy, and at his top. he is a match for any of them in Australia. If Purdy can play safe when in close and keep in the open as much as possible, he may surprise the big house. The bout will show how good Purdy really is.

Not Wanted in Britain.

It is reported in the Scottish Press that application was made to the Home Secretary to allow the negro, Tiger Flowers, the world's middleweight champion, to meet Tommy Milligan for the title in London. Tho Home Secretary, however, refused to give his sanction to the proposed match.

Carpentier to Become an Actor.

Georges Carpentier, tho boxer, is to become an actor. He has signed a contract with the management of the Palace Theatre, Paris, to assume a role in a new revue. It is a somewhat revolutionary departure for the former idol of the ring, and, feeling that tho public should have an explanation of his change of occupation, he lias promised to make it through his friends of tho theatrical Press. It was not Carpentier's intention to fill tho part of a walking gentleman on tho stage. Ho is to act in a sketch, dance, and launch a new song.

Windfall for Hastings,

"I understand from tho best of sources that a generous hearted member of tho Hastings community gave tho Hawkes Bay Boxing Association quite a pleasant surprise by handing tho executive a cheque for no less an amount than £100," says "Straight Left" in the Hawkes Bay "Herald." "Now they are dovising ways and means of spending it. That does not sound too well, but as the real intention is to spend £100 and net £200 we must agree tho idea is a good one, if it cm bo worked."

Troston Shield,

It is a goodly timo ago since Taumarunui lifted the Treston Shield from a weak Wellington team. Unless contests aro hold moro frequently tho object for which it was given will bo defeated: Auckland wero reported to have put in a clrilcnge, but so far nothing definite has been heard from there. The New Zealand Council should take a hand in a endeavour to arrango regular contests m the samo way as tho governing bodies do in other sports. A little financial assistance to some of tho struc^inc associations who wish to make a bid tor tho shield would not be out of the way.

Christchurch Eumour

A rumour is current that, as the resuit of unofficial conversations, an effort may be inado to bring together representatives of tho Christchurcb Sports Club and the Christchurch Amateur Boxing Club for the purpose of endca vouring to evolve a scheme which will be of mutual benefit and in tho general interests of the sport, writes "Cestus " in the "Christchurch Star."

Not Generally Known,

• £, w r° 3t leaSt three regulations in tho New Zealand Boxing Association's rules that are more nonoured in the breach than in the observance. One is that amateurs must wear a belt of some distinct colour. Two is that professionals must wear dark-coloured shorts ana a belt of some colour dismet from the shorts. Threo is that hand bandages are prohibited in ama . tear contests unless a necessity for

Purses in Australia,

There seems to have keen a bit of a star m Australia recently in connection with purses. Several boxers and the promoters have different ideas of the boxers' values, and in several cases the boxers have refused to enter tho rin^ at the ast minute, failing a guarantee 4! even though a definite exjtract had been made on the percentage basis. Twenty pounds is considered too much to give, ten pounds being nearer tho promoters' estimate. These boxers who are getting £l 0 and £20 aie in many cases the equal of, and in some cases be ter than boys'to whom the New Zealand associations offer at least a-171. This amount divided 50 -50 would leave £85 10s to be cufbetween the two boxers. Yet when Bwyei wl" over here he very often received half as much again for his own end No

Alan Maxwell,

The well-known referee, Mr. Alan Maxwell, of Wellington, who acts for the Wanganui-Taranaki associations, has a fine record as a boxer. Maxwell started in the game in 1906 under the ex-New Zealander, Jack Stagpoole and after meeting all the best boys in the district, he won the light-weieht championship of Taranaki in 1310 The following year Maxwell won the New Zealand lightweight title by knocking out all his opponents in short order at Invereargill. Maxwell turned pro fessional m 1912, and after knocking out Jones, at Eltham, in three rounds he was matched with Tim Tracey at Wanganm forthe lightweight title.^he bout ended m a draw. Afterwards Maxwell fought Len Porter, j™* \ later he was matched to meet Buddy Unholz. This contest however, never eventuated owine to Buddy meeting Porter at a prior date.

The last contest Maxwell had before leaving for the front with the Main Body was with Billy Hannon, the Australian, who had previously gone 17 rounds with Darcy. The contest was won by Maxwell. It is New Zealand ring history that although Tracey was in Hannan's corner on the night of the light he had told Maxwell so much about Uannan's methods of milling that the fight was easy for the New Zcalander. Alan Maxwell is a popular referee Smce the war Maxwell has rofereed some of the more important lights in the Dominion, including the George Cook-Al Lloyd bout iv the Wellington Town Hall, for the Australasian heavyweight title; Colin Bell-Tom Heeney, Heeney-o'Sullivan, and Pooley and Heeney. J

Out of the Ashes.

lxoy Brian, who had the misfortune to Live his gymnasium in Herbert street burnt out has refitted the premises again, and indications are that he will have a gym. second to none in New Zealand. Brian has done a lot of good work for boxing in Wellington and he deserves success. His place has always been a popular rendezvous for profes* sionals in training here.

Proposed Farce.

ISapier had intended to negotiate for a match between Billy Grime and Artie Hay. The fancy at Napier would have been home early. Eidiculous matches such as this one are ruining the game in this country. Hay would be at Grime's mercy all the way. Jansen would not have much hope with the Australian, but ho is streets ahead of Hay.

Tunney Makes a Contract.

A series of boxing contests, culminating next September in a battle for the world's heavy-weight championship, has been arranged by Tex Eickard, the sports promoter, who has contracted with Gene Tunnoy, the victor over Jack Dempsey, to defend the title under his direction. Five matches have been planned, in order to select an opponent worthy to meet the new champion, and purses totalling £400,000 have been pledged. Five fighters of considerable reputation will engage in the preliminary bouts, to discover tho man who is to meet Dempsey in the semi-final. They are Paul Berlenbach, Paolini Uzcudun, Jack Sharkey, Jim Maloney, any one of whom, experts believe, Dempsey will have no difficulty in defeating if ho approaches his old championship form. It is not certain, however, that Dempsey will fight. The survival of Dempsey will undoubtedly be the most popular outcome of the matches, and the jiublic will willingly pay dearly to see the champion and the ex-champion face each other once again (states an American paper). Tho contract with Tunney is said to involve a guarantee of & 80,000, win or lose, with 50 per cent, of the net proceeds above £.20,----000. The first elimination matches are planned for March, and tho two principals wiil i>robably be Berlenbach and Uzcudun.

New Rules for New York.

A new -iodo regulating certain features of boxing in New York lnis been approved by the State Athletic Commission. The more important sections provide: 1. That bandages on boxers' hands must be examined by a commission official boforo gloves are adjusted. 2. Automatic suspension for boxers appearing overweight; also their manager. 3. A special room in all clubs for judges and referees, no others to be allowed admittance. 4. Approval of the ring coverings before they are laid. 0. Examination by commission's physician of all applicants for licenses whose permits expired two years or more previously.

Past And Present.

Billy Grime goes to America in a blaze of glory, writes Frank P. Brown, in the "Sporting Globe," Melbourne. His recent wins have boon spectacular and convincing. I believe that Grime will show the world that Australia possesses a real champion, and if ho does so his success will bo reflected on the standard of boxing in Australia. I am sure that we do not appreciate our own boxers at their true worth. Let it be recalled that Georgo Cook gave Maloncy, favourite contender for the world's heavyweight championship, a great fight. Los. Murray, of Now Zealand, for whom we held "no particular respect as a lighting force, defeated one of the best four lightweights in the world, Solly Secman. Later he was defeated by Billy Petrolic, but, nevertheless, our correspondent, Art. Schinncr, i.amcs Murray as a boxer who might defeat tho present champion, Sammy JUaudcl.

It has bcuomo fjuito a custom to decry the ability of boxers of to-day, but I am one of those who believe that tho world is not "progressing backwards." I do not go as far as Mr. Muldoou, 80-year-old veteran in ring athlotics, who is still an active power in American boxing. At present he is acting on the much criticised New York Boxing Commission, and he recently broadcasted a statement that, in his opinion, tho heavyweights of the past could not hold a candlo to the heavyweights of recent days. He names Peter Jackson, as tho only ono who would stand a chance. His statement is hard to swallow in its entirety. I do believe, however, that tho boxers to-day fight faster than their pred .lessors. This has been brought about by the public demand for action. The ring sloth to-day cannot earn his salt. To make money a boxer must work like a busy bee.

This has brought about iv different typo of boxing, and with it at least one feature which I doom objectionable —that is the so-called "in-fighting." Boxing technique has changed. There are more varied ring methods in use today than over. Wo get the "weave,'(' the "crouch," the "smother," for instance, as well as the old-time "duck" and "stop." '" „

Billy Grime would havo been as big a puzzle to tho past champions as ho is to tho present-day stars. I cannot find it in my heart to despise the ability of the present generation, whether it be in boxing or any other sport. Rather I believe in them. Whenever there are figures available wo find that tho athletes of to-day aro more than holding their own.

TJiero are no figures to prove the boxing quality of . past generations. We must depend on our imaginations, and imagination is a deceitful witch. I havo no doubt that critics in the days of Jim Corbett thought Tom Sayers was the better boxer, or that the old Corinthian in the days of Gentleman Jackson, preferred the art of Figg, the father of knuckle fighting. Let us, then, be optimistic and believe in the young generation. There are more boys in the ring game to-day than ever. They understand better the art of living, and the science of training. Education has sharpened their brains.' The race has not deteriorated physically, as was proved in the Great War. Why, then, should wo not have faith ?